THE HOOT

Ox Ridge Elementary School

May 14, 2023


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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

May 18: SE Speaker Series

May 24: Staff Encouragement

May 29: Memorial Day - No School

June 2: Kids Care Club @ 8:15


Field Day

June 5: 1st Grade 9:30-10:50am

         K 1:00-2pm

June 6: 2nd Grade 10-11:20am

June 7: 3rd Grade 10-11:20am

        4th Grade 12-1:20pm

June 9: 5th Grade 11-12:20pm


June 13: 5th Grade Graduation

June 14: Last Day of School (updated)


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Missed last week's Hoot? Click here

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Hi All,

 

Thanks to all of our incredible student musicians for a wonderful spring concert! Thank you also to Mr. Allen, Mr. Walters and Mr. Cruz for their skilled teaching and coaching for our kids. We are so proud of you all and I strongly encourage families with students in K – 2 to take some time to learn about our instrumental offerings by checking out the Darien Public Schools music site.

 

Thank you to Mrs. Colleen Thompson, the district director of music K – 12 for her continual support of our music program and for her video editing efforts! It’s my pleasure to share with you all the 2023 spring concert.

 

Finally, on behalf of all Ox Ridge faculty and staff, I want to thank all families and our wonderful PTO for such a terrific Teacher Appreciation Week! Your kindness towards and support of our staff matters, thank you!


Luke

FROM THE PTO

Dear Ox Ridge Parents,


What a wonder staff appreciation week! Teachers and staff were treated like VIPS and we appreciate all of the fan mail that was completed by students and thank you to the parent volunteers that helped distribute room service items. 


If you are interested in learning about the new CT SEDS and the new CT IEP document, we urge you to attend the informational session on May 18th. This session will review the new documents and both Dr Forshaw and Assistant Principal Lindsay Sulzycki will be there to review and to answer any questions that you may have. Please see details below for further information and how to RSVP.


Gentle reminder that as the weather is officially warm, there are still winter items at the Ox Ridge lost and found that need to be claimed before they are donated! 


Have a wonderful week!


XO OX

Christina & Meghan


Christina Kreuz & Meghan Thornton

PTO Co-Chairs

[email protected]

OX RIDGE NEWS

info session

UNRAVELING CT SEDS & UNDERSTANDING CT'S NEW IEP DOCUMENT - MAY 18

Are you confused by the CT's new IEP and data system? Do you need a refresher on how to interpret your child's IEP document? If so, please join Principal Luke Forshaw and Assistant Principal Lindsay Sulzycki on May 18th at 10:30AM in the main office conference room to learn about CT SEDS (Special Education Data System) and Connecticut's new IEP document. This presentation will review important components of an Individualized Education Plan and take a look at where you find that information in the newly formatted IEP document. Coffee and light bites will be served. No RSVP required, but if you plan to attend, please email your Special Education Representatives: Anne Cotton, Kira Saunders, and Dayna Checketts

ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR NEXT YEAR

The Ox Ridge 1st-5th grade teachers have compiled their list of necessary supplies for the next school year. Order now and school supply kits will be delivered directly to your child's classroom and will be available on the first day of school. 


To order, log on Supplies to Please and click on the blue "Log In" button in the top right corner. Username: OxRidge Password: ox2023 (case sensitive)


We are encouraging families to place their orders by the end of the school year. You will receive a confirmation email once your order is placed. If you do not receive an email, please contact Supplies to Please that day. Click Here to view the flyer. 


Please contact Dr. Forshaw for information about school supply scholarships.

When purchasing your kit(s), please consider making a donation to the Darien Human Services' Back-to-School program to help provide much-needed school supplies and other services to local families in need. This is a high need year! Please contact Jeanne Zimmer with questions.

CAN I GET A HOOT, HOOT?

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PTO VOLUNTEERS


Marissa Chadda and Sara Santana (Treasurer and Asst Treasurer) for updating and helping finalize the budget for the upcoming school year 


Meghan Bussey- Katz and Jacklyn Limoges (Recruiting) for helping to finalize our PTO slate. 


OX RIDGE STAFF BIRTHDAYS FOR MAY


Ms. Brianne Schneider - OT - May 1

Ms. Kim Egan - 1st Grade - May 14

Ms. Amy Beazley - BCBA - May 15

Ms. Jessica Sprague - Teacher SPED - May 18

Ms. Lindsay Uzwiak - Paraprofessional - May 19

Ms. Elizabeth Hayes - 5th Grade - May 19

Mr. Derek Amato - Gym Teacher - May 26

Ms. Toni- Ann Rongoe - 3rd Grade - May 26

COMMUNITY NEWS

YWCA PARENT AWARENESS PARENTING WORKSHOP

Parenting is the hardest job in the world! What works and what doesn’t?” with Susan O'Brien, LCSW on Tuesday May 16th, 9:30-10:30am, Darien YWCA 2nd Floor. Parenting is one of the most important and most rewarding jobs in the world, but it can also be the most difficult! When our children push our buttons, our skills and intentions can go out the window and we may respond in ineffective ways. This workshop will teach techniques to manage everyday parenting challenges and react appropriately and consistently to your child, even when you are under stress. Workshop is appropriate for parents of preschool and elementary age children. To register, email [email protected]

ADULT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY: AN INTRO TO LGBTQ+ IDENTITIES & ALLYSHIP

In partnership with the Darien Library, Darien’s elementary school PTOs are pleased to provide this opportunity to parents / caregivers in our community in advance of Pride month. A community educator with the Triangle Community Center (based in Norwalk) will engage participants in a thorough overview of the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of allyship in real life situations. The target audience is parents / caregivers of pre-K to 5th grades, but it is open to all adults. The session will take place May 19th from 12-1:30pm at the Darien Library. Please register here. If you have general questions about the event, please email.

DARIEN LIBRARY 1894 DAY ANNIVERSARY

Darien Library is celebrating its 129th anniversary and Fifth Annual Day of Giving on 1894 Day, Wednesday, May 24th. Festivities will take place in the Library courtyard throughout the day, including crafts, balloon art from 2:30 to 4:30pm, face painting from 3:00 – 5:00pm, and an ice cream truck from 3:30 to 4:30pm. The goal is to raise $129,000 in 24 hours and each donor will receive a special gift at various suggested contribution levels. Please join the celebration and plan to make a gift to the Library online at https://www.darienlibrary.org/1894-day or in-person on May 24th! Contact the Darien Library Administrative Office at 203-669-5220 with questions.

DARIEN EMS POST 53's ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY FOOD FAIR

Post 53, Darien’s emergency medical service, is excited to announce its annual Memorial Day Food Fair at Tilly Pond. With the help of our sponsors, Compass Real Estate and The Wood Group at Morgan Stanley, this year’s event, filled with food trucks, live entertainment, games, ambulance tours, and a silent auction, will take place on Monday, May 29th, immediately following the parade from 11 am-2 pm. Tickets will be available for purchase at select locations across town throughout May leading up to the event. Please visit our website Post53.org for exact times and locations. The annual celebration is Post 53’s signature fundraising event. This Town tradition raises money for patient care and equipment, continuous training of our members, and community training events such as Hands Only CPR and Stop the Bleed classes. Post 53’s annual operating budget is 100% funded by donations. It depends on the generous contributions of friends and neighbors to maintain the highest quality of pre-hospital care for the people of Darien. 

CONGRATULATE YOUR 5th GRADER

The Darien Depot is selling Lawn Signs to recognize your 5th grader's achievement. Order deadline is May 22nd and will be delivered to your lawn by June 2nd.  CLICK HERE TO BUY. Confidential scholarships are available by emailing [email protected]. Sample of the sign can be seen here on our Instagram.

CALLING ALL 5th GRADE PARENTS

The Depot 5th Grade End of Year Party is on Thursday, June 1st from 4:30-5:30 at the Depot Youth Center. DJ, Mr. Softee Ice Cream Truck, dancing, games and more! $20 admission, registration required. Rain date is June 2. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

CALLING ALL 4th GRADE PARENTS

The Depot 4th Grade End of Year Party is on Thursday, June 1st from 6:00pm-7:00pm at the Depot Youth Center. DJ, Mr. Softee Ice Cream Truck, dancing, games and more! $20 admission, registration required. Rain date is June 2. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

DOORS OF DARIEN

Museum of Darien invites all to participate in their spring fundraiser, Doors of Darien by creating a painting of their favorite Darien door with one of their art kits, available for purchase now at museumofdarien.org. Art kits consist of 2 canvases, paint & brushes & may be picked up Tuesday through Thursday, 11am-4pm. Each kit is $20 or 6 kits for $100. Finished artwork must be returned by May 24 to be put on display and sold to benefit the Museum at the fundraiser.


A Kids ‘Award Night takes place on June 2, from 5-7pm. This Friday night event is free and open to participating youth and their families. Prizes will be awarded at 6pm. The Doors of Darien Party Fundraiser taking place on June 3, from 7-10pm, features food, drinks, music and the artwork of Darien doors available for sale and created by all ages. Tickets are $75. Call (203) 655-9233 for more information. The Museum of Darien is located at 45 Old King’s Highway in Darien, CT. 

BLUE WAVE BOYS VOLLEYBALL FIELD DAY

Sign-up for some old fashioned field day activities and pair up with players of the Blue Wave Boys Volleyball team! For Grades 3 - 8,


Where: Field by the DHS Tennis Courts

When: Saturday, June 3rd

Time: 1 - 3pm Check-in: 12:45pm

Who: Grades 3 - 8

Cost: $40.00

Activities include: BeachBall Volleyball, 3 Point Relay Race, Water Balloon Toss, Vertical Jump Reach, 3 Legged Race, Wheelbarrow Relay, Serve Challenge Dunk Tank, a VB Player Water/Snack.


To register, please send email to: [email protected] and include the following:

1- Name of child

2- Age/Grade/School

3- Parent Contact info email and cell

**Checks payable to “DHS Boys Volleyball” due at check-in.

OX RIDGE HOOT | HOOT EMAIL | PTO WEBSITE


EDITORS NOTE:

Meghan Egan - Nov, Jan, May, June 19 

Danielle Kohlberger - Oct, Feb, Apr, June 12

Baye Larsen - Sept, Dec, Mar, June 5


OX RIDGE HOOT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

The Ox Ridge Hoot is emailed every Sunday during the school year. The deadline for submission is Thursday at noon. Please send your submission to [email protected] with the text of your e-mail, single spaced and left adjusted (NO FORMATTING!), with "Ox Ridge Hoot Submission" in the subject line. 


"Community News" information/events will run for a maximum of two consecutive Hoot editions. Please time your submissions accordingly. 


WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OR DECLINE ALL SUBMISSIONS.


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